A flotilla is set to sail from Greece to Gaza this week with hundreds of activists in tow to help break the Israeli embargo on the Palestinian territory. Israel officials are threatening any foreign journalists who embark on the journey, saying they will be banned from entering Israel for the next decade and their equipment will be impounded. The warning came from a letter signed by the Government Press Office, saying the flotilla is "a dangerous provocation that is being organized by Western and Islamic extremist elements to aid Hamas" (Chick). Israel defense forces are expected to interfere with the flotilla's passage before it even reaches Israel (Weiss). .
"As the Director of the Government Press Office, I would like to make it clear to you and to the media that you represent that participation in the flotilla is an intentional violation of Israeli law and is liable to lead to participant being denied entry into the State of Israel for ten years, to the impoundment of their equipment and to additional sanctions," the letter read. "I implore you to avoid taking part in this provocative and dangerous event, the purpose of which is to undermine Israel's right do defend itself and to knowingly violate Israeli law" (JTA). .
"The flotilla has nothing constructive. There is nothing humanitarian or anything that has to do with Palestinian welfare in the organizing of this flotilla," said Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Ron Prosor. He added that the flotilla participants are "extremists" (Chick). .
The U.S. Department of State spokeswoman Victoria Nuland agreed that the participants are taking "irresponsible and provocative" actions and urged them to use "established and efficient" measures to get aid to Gaza (Chick). .
The Foreign Press Association fought back in favor of the activists, saying journalists have a right to cover a legitimate news event and should not be threatened or intimidated for doing their jobs.
